Lake Charles LA vs Stockton CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Stockton, CA
California · Population: 320,470
- Median HH Income$76,851
- Median Home Price$431,297
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+19.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Stockton
11.6%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 47.3% | 26.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 11.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $76,851 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $31,279 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 15.4% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 19.1% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Stockton
53.2%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $431,297 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 53.2% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Stockton
503
Stockton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Stockton
2388
Stockton +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Stockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Stockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Stockton
13.5%
Stockton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Stockton
18.1%
Stockton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Stockton
13.8%
Stockton +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.5% | Stockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.1% | Stockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 13.8% | Stockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 33.2 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Stockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Stockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
Compare More Cities
Lake Charles, LA vs New York, NYLake Charles, LA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lake Charles, LAHouston, TX vs Lake Charles, LALake Charles, LA vs Phoenix, AZLake Charles, LA vs Philadelphia, PA